Upper Mustang Trek or the Trek to the Forbidden Palace of Lo Manthang is one of the worlds most exclusive trekking trail in the restricted area of Nepal, opened for tourists only in 1992. Mustang, formerly the Kingdom of Lo is a remote and most isolated region of the Himalayas of which the central part the capital, Lo Manthang is surrounded by high stone walls.
The area is a barren landscape and rugged trails known as Caravan Route that was used by the people as a Salt trade route with Tibet. Cave like settlements and houses made of mud bricks give this area an antique and attractive look. People in the area follow strange social system of Polyandry since generations and still continues.
TRIP COST DEPENDS ON YOUR GROUP SIZE
On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, a representative from Eve Holidays will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
After a warm breakfast in the hotel we will drive along the Trishuli River to Pokhara, the city of Lakes
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Pokhara.
Included Meals: Breakfast
To shorten the trekking days from Pokhara to Jomsom we take an early morning domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom Airport. Jomsom is famous for its apples. Walking along a beautiful valley we pass through Eaklebatti Village which is located at the bank of two rivers. You can see the ruins of an old fortress here.
Overnight: Teahouse in Kagbeni.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At Kagbeni our trekking permits are checked and from here we start trekking alongside Kali Gadaki River. We reach the Tangbe Village that has its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. Continuing our walk through another village we cross a river and a short walk over a ridge takes us to Chele.
Overnight: Tea house in Chele
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start on a difficult trek of today as we will be passing through two high passes of Taklam La pass (3,624m) and Dajori La pass (3,735). On our way, we enjoy great views of Tilicho, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda and pass by Ramchung Cave. After the passes, we descend on an easier trail to reach Samar Village. Walk from this village leads us to a ridge and we descend and continue trek upto Syanboche for overnight stay.
Overnight: Tea house in Syanboche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we climb the ridge to Syangboche La Pass. Above Ghiling Village an old red gompa and ancient meditation caves in the cliffs. We walk past several Chortens and then ascend to Nyi La pass. Descending the valley we pass the most spectacular longest Mani wall in the region. We arrive Ghami
Overnight in : Tea house in Ghami
Included Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Passing through the green pasture land and climbing up through the canyon to the ridge, and different Gompas we reach Tsarang village
Overnight: Tea House in Tsarang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today the trail drops from Tsarang to Tsarang Khola, and further ascend for around 3 hours past another stream called Thulung Khola, all the way to a broad plateau. On our further walk we pass through a beautiful stupa and finally reach the walled capital Lo Manthang
Overnight: Teahouse in Lo Manthang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the acclimatization day in Lomanthang. We visit the monastery and the meditation caves called Sky Caves. which is an amazing cave complex filled with relics, paintings, and archaeologically significant items.
Overnight: Teahouse in Lomanthang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lo Manthang to Dhakmar distance is 17.2 kilometers / 10.6 miles. It takes 6 to 7 hrs to reach Drakmar from Lo Manthang via Ghar Gumba, Marang la and Muila villages. We walk by the side of high mountains and gorges along up and down barren territory to arrive at Lo Gekar and Drakmar.
Overnight: Teahouse in Drakmar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today our trail passes through a dry plateau and fields to reach Ghiling village. The walk can be challenging, especially with the strong winds whipping our faces. Ghiling is a small village mostly dry, and it is well known for its beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains and ancient monasteries.
Overnight: Teahouse in Ghiling
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today from Ghiling village to Chhuksang is mostly flat and downhill walk that takes around 5-6 hours.
Overnight: Teahouse in Chhuksang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your trail today starts alongside a stream and continue along with several ups and downs. You walk along the sandy banks of the Kali Gandaki River and finally reach Jomsom in about 6-7 hours from Chhuksang.
Overnight: Teahouse in Jomsom
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We take an early morning flight from Jomsom airport to Pokhara. It takes 25 minutes only and the allowed baggage weight is 15 kg per person. Although flying to Pokhara is an easier option, Jomsom flights can be delayed or cancelled in a very short notice due to varying weather conditions in the region. If flight gets cancelled, we have the option of Jeep drive to Pokhara. The airplane passes through a gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains making the flight itself an amazing experience. You will have the rest of the day on your own. Half day Pokhara sightseeing can be arranged on request.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Pokhara
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we drive to Kathmandu. We spend our last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today after breakfast you are in leisure on your own. You will be escorted to airport for your flight home three hours before your flight time
Meals: Breakfast
TIJI FESTIVAL DATES in 2024
5th, 6th and 7th May in 2024
TIJI FESTIVAL DATES IN 2025
24th, 25th, and 26th May in 2025
In Kathmandu/Pokhara, you will stay in 4 Star Hotels with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, Eve Holidays provides you rooms with attached toilets where ever available. In high season the accommodation are crowded and full. So we recommend early booking. Accommodation are on a twin sharing basis. Single supplement will cost extra and depends on availability. Hotels in Kathmandu/Pokhara can be upgraded to 5 Star in an additional cost.
In Kathmandu/Pokhara breakfast will be provided. Welcome dinner and farewell dinner are in Kathmandu. While on trekking, we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Usually, each day dinner and breakfast will be at teahouses/lodges where you will stay and lunch will be on the way. We make it sure that the food is hygienic and at the same time suits your palate. Foods cooked in lodges and guesthouses on the way are pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always find hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.
The spring time from March to May and the Autumn months from September to November is considered the best months for Upper Mustang Trek.
Anyone who is fit and healthy and have a habit of walking for few of hours a day can do this trek. However walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your stamina. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lungs and blood diseases are required to consult their doctor before taking the trip. It is also advised that you inform Eve Holidays about the medical condition before booking the trek.
All of Eve Holidays trekking itineraries are planned keeping in mind the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Going up at higher altitude too fast causes a medical condition called AMS which is serious enough to kill if neglected. We are well aware that it is essential to allow you sufficient time for acclimatization to minimize the risk. However it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. So we suggest to avoid alcohol and drink enough water and get good night sleep during the trek.
Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate trek that goes up to an altitude of 3,870m/12,697ft passing through trans Himalayan region which was forbidden for tourists until 1990’s. Must be physically fit with active lifestyle and have a habit of exercise and walking.
March April May and Sept Oct Nov are the best time to trek
Yes, we give you the flexibility to change the travel date or amend the itinerary and that has to be in written and at least 25 days before departure date. The cost incurred due to the changes has to be borne by you.
Booking deposits are transferable to anyone you want for any time in future. For cancelling the trip, cancellation policy in our booking terms and conditions will apply.
We did the Everest Base Camp earlier. So this time we were into something challenging trek. We booked Everest 3 High Passes Trek with Eve Holidays in a friend’s recommendation. We were 2 friends doing this trek and it was like a private trip for us and thanks to Eve Holidays, they did not charge us extra for the trek. We very much enjoyed the trek with them. Our guide Bishnu was very interesting man and accommodation, meals, flights and all arrangements made by this company was good.
Trip of a lifetime
I have not been good in taking six months to reply to your email. I just wanted to thank everyone for making this trip a trip to remember and a trip of a lifetime. From the beginning, I was impressed by the professionalism and excellent service displayed by everyone on your team, without exception. The trek itself was a great experience, and it was made even more so by Basu and his team of guides and porters. Basu is an excellent trek leader, and his ability to adapt and make allowances for the needs of the entire group was evident from Day One. The trek left me with an incredibly positive of the people of Nepal and the country. I will be back for another trek and can only wish that it is with the same group of people who took me on my first trek in the Himalayas.
Great Trek
We had the best experience trekking up to Kyanjin Gompa, with excellent help from our wonderful guide Pradip and porter Prakas. I think we were extra lucky by being the only two people on this tour, as it became a private trip for us. Pradip was looking after our needs every step of the way, and always going beyond expectations in caring for us. They even woke extra early for us to walk out for a sunrise view of the Himalayas near Kyanjin Ri and brought extra snacks along for us.
